Friday, May 30, 2014

Friday 56: Tennessee Bride by Rosanne Bittner


He held her more firmly. "You will not die, Emma. I will not let you die."

Posted foThe Friday 56, which is hosted by Freda's Voice

Title: Tennessee Bride
Author: Rosanne Bittner 
ISBN: 9780445206342

Publisher: warner books/1998
Pages: 384

Sixteen year old Emma Simms, born in a small village in the Tennessee mountains. Her mother dies in childbirth and Emma is now all alone with her cruel stepfather, Luke Simms.

Tommy Decker, a lecherous neighbor attempts to rape Emma, but she manages to escape and gives Tommy the beating of his life. Tommy is angered and swears she will pay for it. Meanwhile, Luke decides to sell Emma to Sam Gates, a man who uses the women he bought to service men in his saloon in Knoxville. 

But Emma has always been under the watchful eye of River Joe, a white man, who was taken in by the Cherokee when he was only five years old after his parents were attacked by a band of white marauders- his mother raped and both parents killed. By the time he comes for her, Emma has been sold to Hank Toole, and is on her way to Sam Gates. River Joe manages to rescue Emma, and they return to his people's village, at the top of the mountain.


However, their problems are far from over. Sam Gates is anxious to retrieve Emma and Tommy Decker is even more so. Emma and River Joe are afraid of their past coming back to haunt them, and the Cherokee people. Will they ever be free from their past?

It paints a realistic portrait of what women had to go through in those times, and how life was hard for the Native Americans. They were treated unjustly, which is well depicted in this novel.

13 comments:

Cheryl said...

By the blurb and the teaser it sounds like an intense, but fabulous book. Thanks for sharing.

Hope you'll visit http://www.thebusymomsdaily.com/2014/05/the-friday-56-week-180.html

Katherine P said...

Wow that sounds really intense. Thanks for sharing!

Anonymous said...

It sounds like an adventurous read. MyFriday56

Unknown said...

An intense 56!

Laurel-Rain Snow said...

Sounds captivating! Thanks for sharing...and for visiting my blog.

fredamans said...

Having Native heritage I am intrigued by the story.

Happy weekend!

Cassie said...

Now that is an excerpt! Here is mine:
http://fortheartofit.blogspot.com/2014/05/friday-book-talk.html

LadyD Piano said...

Sounds like Emma has a hard life. I can see where the book leaves you wanting more. Intriguing!

Anonymous said...

What a heavy read! Personally, I would find it difficult to read a book like this, at least for now. I have such strong opinions and desires to punish all wicked men who are part of human trafficking! UGH!

Yvonne said...

This sounds so good! Great 56!

Bea said...

I agree with the other commenters, it sounds intense. The 56 is touching.

Anonymous said...

Great 56, sounds like an intense read too. Thanks for sharing with us ;)

Oh and thank you for stopping by my blog, truly appreciate it :)

guiltlessreader said...

Thanks goodness, SHE"S NOT GOING TO DIE :) I would definitely keep reading with a prophetic opening like that!